1971 Oldsmobile 442 W30 Convertible

Desert Dreamin’

   The 1971 Oldsmobile 4-4-2 W30 was one of the last muscle cars to hit the streets. Less than 1,000 W30 variants of the 4-4-2 were built, and of those only 110 were convertibles. The higher performance W30 variant retained the 455 cubic inch V-8 engine from previous years but the horsepower rating dropped to 350 horsepower from 370 horsepower from the previous year because the engine was subject to modifications allowing the car to use lower octane fuels, a corporate decision in order to prepare for the 1975 introduction of the catalytic converter. The engine was still able to generate 410 foot pounds of torque for plenty of low end oomph. Interestingly, Oldsmobile also disclosed the net output of its engines with all of the accessories in place. Horsepower at the wheels fell to 300 horses The W30 model added a fiberglass hood with functional  air scoops along with various “hand-picked” engine modifications to bring the horsepower rating up 10 horsepower from the base 4-4-2. Overall it was an appealing package for those who wanted a car from the end of the golden era of muscle cars.